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2018 Ford Ecosport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Ecosport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 395.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

267 reports with mileage · 459 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 355 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 311 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine complaints

355 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2022
EnginePower Train

I was driving home low oil pressure warning came on, oil was full, then it started to make noise and now the car is dead, can't lock/unlock, all power is gone. FORD refuses to fix the issue and with ALL complaints that I've read how has there not been a recall on this. I HAVE TO HAVE A CAR TO GO TO WORK, like the others, I can't…

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I was driving home low oil pressure warning came on, oil was full, then it started to make noise and now the car is dead, can't lock/unlock, all power is gone. FORD refuses to fix the issue and with ALL complaints that I've read how has there not been a recall on this. I HAVE TO HAVE A CAR TO GO TO WORK, like the others, I can't afford to get a new car, I have bills and a job that have to be paid and have to work to make that happen. I have to drive an hour away for my job. I do not have the $7000 for a new engine as this is what I am told. Having to this issue is not an issue caused by me this should be the responsibility of FORD to repair the issues or new engines for those of us that have a dead car. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE ASAP!!

NHTSA ODI #11498540

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2022
Engine

I was driving. My car sounded completely normal. All of the sudden my "low engine oil pressure" sensor came on. I pulled into a convenient store and ended up having the car towed into a mechanic shop. I was told that this engine has a flawed warning system in it. That the sensor doesn't come on until it's to late . (MY ENG…

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I was driving. My car sounded completely normal. All of the sudden my "low engine oil pressure" sensor came on. I pulled into a convenient store and ended up having the car towed into a mechanic shop. I was told that this engine has a flawed warning system in it. That the sensor doesn't come on until it's to late . (MY ENGINE IS GONE). My car has alittle over 73,000 miles on it. Ford will not fix my car they said that my extended warranty for the engine is 60,000. This is not good customer service . I am a disabled widow. I don't have any money to buy another car. This car left me on the side of the road with no warning. I have been a loyal ford customer I had always bought used cars before. But after my husband died I felt I needed to have something more dependable. This car is not that . Please help me with this problem.

NHTSA ODI #11497714

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2022
Engine

As with HUNDREDS of other owners of the 2018 Ford Ecosport, I have encountered a safety issue with Low Oil Pressure which causes the engine to shut down. There has been a NHTSA Service Bulletin issued but still not recall and this issue is extremely dangerous and absolutely kills the engine. A small recall fix could save live…

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As with HUNDREDS of other owners of the 2018 Ford Ecosport, I have encountered a safety issue with Low Oil Pressure which causes the engine to shut down. There has been a NHTSA Service Bulletin issued but still not recall and this issue is extremely dangerous and absolutely kills the engine. A small recall fix could save lives and save owners from a repair that costs in excess of $5,000. Below is the Service Bulletin but it needs a recall. I've spent all day on the phone with Ford and all they will say is that they have no recall. Below is the Service Bulletin: "SSM 48093 - 2018-2019 EcoSport - 1.0L EcoBoost - 6F15 - Loss Of Engine Oil Pressure With Illuminated Engine Oil Warning Lamp - Built On Or Before 3-Apr-2019 Some 2018-2019 EcoSport vehicles equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine and a 6F15 automatic transmission and built on or before 3-Apr-2019 may exhibit a loss of engine oil pressure with an illuminated oil pressure warning lamp. This may be due to a broken/failed engine oil pump belt tensioner which leads to a loss of engine oil pressure. Due to the nature of this failure, an engine replacement maybe required. Engines built after 3-Apr-2019 should not be affected. All tensioners built with a manufacture date on or after 23-Jan-2019 are good to use." I need help and don't know where to turn. I could have EASILY wrecked and harmed not only myself but others on the road. This needs an immediate recall. Thank you so much for your assistance. My car will now need an entirely new engine for something that could have been avoided and fixed with an inexpensive recall.

NHTSA ODI #11494466

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2022
EnginePower Train

No warning, "engine oil low" notice comes on dash during grocery run. Parked car at the house and didn't not drive it until appt was made at Ford Dealership. Drove the 1 mile away from home to the appt. 2 weeks later dealership tells me that the engine had zero oil in it, despite showing full oil on dipstick. They claim it was a…

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No warning, "engine oil low" notice comes on dash during grocery run. Parked car at the house and didn't not drive it until appt was made at Ford Dealership. Drove the 1 mile away from home to the appt. 2 weeks later dealership tells me that the engine had zero oil in it, despite showing full oil on dipstick. They claim it was an oil pump failure & it's very common in 2018 and 2019 models. They also claim that Ford is unwilling to repair because I am outside the 60k powertrain, my mileage is 61,478. Car is is great shape other than this failure, regular oil changes, brand new battery, new tires.

NHTSA ODI #11493992

77,000 miles · Oct 19, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while at a stop light, the START/STOP feature failed to restart the vehicle as designed. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and operated as designed. On another occasion, while the contact was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up. The vehi…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while at a stop light, the START/STOP feature failed to restart the vehicle as designed. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and operated as designed. On another occasion, while the contact was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up. The vehicle was jumpstarted. On another occasion, while driving 40 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle but was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic test and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #11490040

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2022
Engine

I was pulling on to the highway and out the clear random, my oil pressure light came on and I heard a clunk. I pulled over and started it back up and the light still came on. I was going to attempt to drive the 3 miles home and the car gave out. No one can find any reason my vehicle did this. The oil was changed 4 days prior and…

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I was pulling on to the highway and out the clear random, my oil pressure light came on and I heard a clunk. I pulled over and started it back up and the light still came on. I was going to attempt to drive the 3 miles home and the car gave out. No one can find any reason my vehicle did this. The oil was changed 4 days prior and all of the oil was applied and properly placed. I am looking into legal action. We may have a class action lawsuit. If anyone would like to be a part, contact me, phyllis_neal@yahoo.com. This is not ok or fair. I have been fired from my job, this has negatively impacted my family and it’s just inconvenient.

NHTSA ODI #11488191

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2022
Engine

I was driving along at 55 mph. Low engine oil pressure warning appeared on dash. Pulled car over. Oil level was normal, no signs of leak, no prior warning. Had car towed to Ford dealer, found metal in oil, blown motor diagnosis due to failed oil pump components. 85,000 miles on vehicle with routine maintenance and repair. Ford w…

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I was driving along at 55 mph. Low engine oil pressure warning appeared on dash. Pulled car over. Oil level was normal, no signs of leak, no prior warning. Had car towed to Ford dealer, found metal in oil, blown motor diagnosis due to failed oil pump components. 85,000 miles on vehicle with routine maintenance and repair. Ford will not help with replacement or repair.

NHTSA ODI #11487311

69,000 miles · Sep 6, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the message "Low Engine Oil Pressure” was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to continue driving at 20 MPH. The vehicle was tak…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the message "Low Engine Oil Pressure” was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to continue driving at 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing belt had failed and damaged the engine. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #11483041

58,198 miles · Aug 15, 2022
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the low engine oil pressure warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact managed to pull over and replenished the engine with oil; however, soon after start-up, an abnormal, knocking noise began to emit from the engine as bla…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Ecosport. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the low engine oil pressure warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact managed to pull over and replenished the engine with oil; however, soon after start-up, an abnormal, knocking noise began to emit from the engine as black smoke also emitted from the engine. The vehicle began to lose power as the contact pulled over and shut off the engine. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it remained in their possession. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The manufacturer for notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,198.

NHTSA ODI #11479423

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2022
Engine

Lost power with low oil pressure warning. 3 miles from a dealership so drove and left vehicle. Metal found in oil and new engine needed. 39,000 miles so covered under warranty. Vehicle back and running great currently.

NHTSA ODI #11478135

Official recalls

2

23V905000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

Dec 22, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge. If engine failure occurs due to a damaged oil pump belt and/or oil pump belt tensioner, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the engine assembly as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

18V312000 · Equipment:other:labels; Service Brakes

May 14, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Equipment:other:labels

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Ecosport vehicles sold in the United States Federal Territiories. These vehicles were shipped with the European brake reservoir pictogram cap label and the European English language owner's manual kits. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence: Owners could be confused by the incorrect label on the brake fluid cap, potentially causing them to replace the brake fluid with an incorrect fluid which could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid cap and owner's manual kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C04.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE23015 · Oil Pump Failure

Opened Sep 20, 2023 · Closed Feb 14, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

On September 20, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-015 to investigate instances of engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles. Some consumers reported a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle was in motion. The investigation revealed that the engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increase the risk of a crash. On December 22, 2023, Ford filed recall 23V-905 for certain MY 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The recall remedy provides the replacement of the oil pump drive belt tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt with redesigned parts to improve robustness. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.